Fence



July 25, 1967 R. E. ARMSTRONG FENCE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1964 INVENTOR. fP/CHAAD E. ARMSTRONG July 25, 1967 R. E. ARMSTRONG 3,332,667

FENCE Filed June 1, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RICHARD 1 ARMSTRONG BY WAM ATTORIVEV July 25, 1967 R. E. ARMSTRONG FENCE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 1, 1964 INVENTOR. RICHARD E ARMSTRONG ATTOR/VEV United States Patent ice 3,332,667 FENCE Richard E. Armstrong, Harrisburg, Pa., assignor to Porta- Fence, Inc., Harrisburg, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvama Filed June 1, 1964, Ser. No. 371,385 9 Claims. (Cl. 256) This invention relates to a fence, and more particularly, to a portable fence capable of being rapidly disassembled and stored away or moved to a different location.

The fence of the present invention is particularly adapted for use as the outfield fence for a ball park. Heretofore, ball parks have been manufactured with an outfield fence which is more or less stationary. When children such as little leaguers desire to play baseball, a separate ball park is usually provided for their use since the ball park utilized by adults has an outfield fence which is too far from the diamond. The fence of the present invention may be utilized on a single ball park and by rapidly disassembling and moving the same, a ball park may be converted from use for little league play to use for regulation play by adults.

The fence of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of upright panels disposed in end-to-end fashion with an angled brace adapted to be interconnected with adjacent panels at a point between adjacent panels. A means is provided to facilitate a resilient support for the upper end of the panels so that they may give when contacted such as by an outfielder running into the panels. This feature assists in the fence being able to withstand strong winds and to some degree reduces the tendency of danger to the outfielders who occasionally run into the fence due to the fact that they are watching the ball rather than the fence.

The panels of the fence are preferably solid imperforate panels on which advertising matter may be applied. The panels are provided at their lower edge with a resilient means adapted to support the panels in an upright disposition and said means facilitates the limited amount of angular movement of the panels as described above. The ball park, or ground supporting surface for the fence is preferably provided with ground embedded supports such as pipes or the like to which the panels will be removably coupled. By providing the ball park or ground supporting surface with a plurality of arcuately disposed ground embedded supports, the fence may be moved closer or farther away from the diamond. Experience with the fence of the present invention, indicates that a fence may be completely disassembled and moved to a further inwardly or outwardly direction with respect to the diamond by two men in a period of one-half hour.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fence.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fence for a ball park or the like capable of being rapidly assembled and disassembled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable fence capable of angular movement with respect to the supporting surface to assist in absorbing pressures applied to the fence panels by means of wind, contact with objects, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imperforate panel fence wherein panels are maintained above ground level by a resilient means so that the panels may be pivoted through a limited angle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ball park fence capable of being moved radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to the diamond in a rapid manner, while using ground embedded supports which are disposed at or below ground level.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

3,332,667 Patented July 25, 1967 For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a ball park incorporating the fence of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective exploded view of the upper corner of two adjacent panels of the fence of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view, partly in section, taken through the ears in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an elevation view, partly in section, the lower end of a brace and the ground embedded support therefor.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but illustrating the elements in an operative disposition.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevation view of a lower corner of two adjacent panels.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 1010 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a wire fastener support.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a portion of a ball park designated generally as 10. The ball park 10 includes a diamond 12, an outfield fence 14 capable of being moved to the position illustrated at 16 when desired.

The fence 14 comprises a plurality of panels interconnected end-to-end. For purposes of illustration, there is shown in FIGURE 3 a portion of the upper lefthand corner of a panel designated generally as 18 and a portion of the upper righthand corner of a panel designated generally as 20.

The panels 18 and 20 are identical. Hence, corresponding structure on the panel 20' is provided with a corresponding primed numeral. Panel 18 includes an imperforate panel section 22 which may be a thin member such as sheet aluminum. By using sheet aluminum, a panel section which is non-corrosive and lightweight may be obtained.

The panel section 22 is provided with a longitudinally extending upper edge frame member 24 and a side edge frame member 26. Each of the frame members 24 and 26 are preferably hollow extrusions having a hollow tubular portion 28. The hollow tubular portions 28 are provided with spaced parallel legs 30 and 32 which define a slot 34. The peripheral edge portions of the panel section 22 are disposed within the slots 34 and fixedly secured in such disposition as by welding, riveting, etc.

The side frame members 24 and 26 have a length which is less than the length of the panel section 22. A corner member 36 is telescopically disposed within the side frame members 24 and 26. If desired, the corner member 36 may be provided with legs such as legs 30 and 32.

The corner member 36 is provided with an upright ear 38 extending toward the corner member 36. The corner member 36' is provided with an upright ear 40 extending toward the corner member 36. Each of the ears 38 and 40 are provided with holes which will be disposed in line with each other when the panels 18 and 20 are properly spaced from each other. In an operative disposition in accordance with an operative embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the corner members 36 and 36' is approximately one inch.

The panels 18 and 20 are maintained in line with each other and properly spaced apart from each other by means of a tongue 42 extending through the aligned holes in the ears 38 and 40. The tongue 42- is rotated in a counterclockwise direction during insertion thereof through the aligned holes and terminates in a knob 44. The tongue 42 is integral with and projecting from an upper body member 43. The body member 48 is a part of a brace designated generally as 46 and angularly disposed with respect to the plane of the panels 13 and 2-0.

The body member 48 is provided with an integral extension 50 having a transfer slot 52 therein. The extension 50- is telescopically disposed within the upper end of pipe 54. A bolt 56 extends through alinged holes in the upper end portion of the pipe 54 and also extends through the slot 52. A spring 53 extends from the upper end of the slot 52 to the bolt 56 as illustrated more clearly in FIGURE 4.

The lower end of the brace 46 is removably coupled to a ground embedded support as will be described hereinafter. Hence, the lower end of pipe 54 is telescopically disposed over the body extension 59 of lower body member 60. A pin 62 extends through alinged holes in the lower end portion of the pipe 54 and the body extension 59. The upper surface of a horizontally disposed portion of the body 60 is provided with a semicircular notch 64.

The body member 60 is provided with a downwardly extending extension 68 having an elongated slot 70 angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of extension 68. A U-shaped bale 72 extends through the slot 70 and upwardly along the outer peripheral surface of the extension 68. The free ends of the bale 72 are interconnected by a cylindrical handle 74 adapted to be received within the notch 64 as will be made clear hereinafter.

The extension 68 is provided with a radially outwardly directed boss 76. The distance diametrically across the boss and the extension 68 is slightly less than the inner diameter of an embedded support such as pipe 78. It has been found that pipe 78 should be of suflicient length so as to extend into the ground for a distance of approximately twelve to eighteen inches. The pipe 78 is provided with a hole 80 adapted to receive the boss 76. The boss 76 is adapted to be in line with the hole 80 when the lowermost surface of the body member 60 is resting at ground level as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

As shown more clearly in FIGURES 9 and 10, the panels 22 and 22' are provided with lower corner members '82 and 82, respectively. The corner members 82 and 82' are identical with the corner members 36 and 36', respectively, except as will be made clear hereinafter. Corner member 82 is provided with a horizontally disposed ear 84, corner member 82' is provided with a horizontally disposed car 86. The cars 84 and 86 are offset with respect to each other and adapted to be disposed one above the other so that holes in the ears are aligned as illustrated in FIGURE 9. The panels 18 and 20 are adapted to be supported slightly above ground level as illustrated in FIGURE 9 by the brace 46 and wire fastener supports 88.

There is shown in FIGURE 11 a perspective view of the wire fastener support 88. Support 38 is provided at its upper end with an arcuate portion 90, adapted to embrace the corner members of the panels, and at its lower end with downwardly extending legs )2 and 94. The legs 92 and 94 terminate in hook portions 96 and )3, respectively. The wire fastener supports 88 are preferably made from spring Wire having a diameter of approximately 1 inch.

There is provided in the ground an embedded support such as pipe 100. The upper end of pipe ltlil is flush with the ground level in the same manner as pipe 78. The pipe 100 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite holes 192 and 104 which are adapted to receive the hook portions 96 and 98 when the panels 18 and 29 are operatively disposed thereabove.

The manipulative steps in assembling the fence 14 are as follows:

The panels 18 and 29 will be held in end-to-end juxtaposition as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The brace 46 with the upper body member 48 interconnected therewith will be substantially horizontally disposed and then rotated in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 4 while the tongue 42 is being inserted through the aligned holes in the ears 38 and 46. As the tongue 42 is entering the aligned holes in the ears 38 and 40, the brace 46 will be rotated until it assumes a position forming approximately a forty-five degree angle with the horizontal. Thereafter, the lower body member 66, previously interconnected with the lower end of the pipe 54, will be inserted into the pipe 78 with the handle 74 being in the disposition illustrated in FIGURE 6. As soon as the lowermost surface on body member 69 is resting on the ground level, boss 78 will be opposite hole 80.

With the elements in the above described disposition, the handle 74 will be forced downwardly until it assumes the position illustrated in FIGURE 7. The downward movement of the handle 74 and bale 72 cams the body member 6i) and extension 68 to the left in FIGURE 7 until the boss 76 enter the hole 80. Such camming action is attained as a result of the angular disposition of the slot 7t) and the legs of the bale 72 which have a transverse dimension corresponding to the inner diameter of the pipe 78.

Thereafter, the wire fastener supports 88 may be attached to the corner members of the panels. The arcuate portion 90 of each fastener support 88 may be spread apart so that it embraces the corner members. Thereafter, the legs 92 and 94 will be sequeezed together and the support 88 reciprocated downwardly until the legs extend through the ears 84 and 86 and into the pipe 100. Thereafter, the legs 92 and 94 may be permitted to retain their normal position wherein the hook portions 96 and 98 will enter the aligned holes 102 and 104, respectively. Thereafter, additional panels will be interconnected with the two panels just described so as to complete the fence l4.

The thusly erected fence 14 *will permit the panels 18 and 20 to pivot about the resilient wire fastener supports 88 until the upper end of the pipe 54 abuts the upper body member 48. The spring 58 will be compressed due to the telescoping relationship between pipe 54 and extension 50 during such angular movement. The distance of approximately one inch between adjacent end faces of the panels 18 and 2t) and the distance of approximately one inch be? tween the lowermost edge of the panels and the ground surface in combination with the ability of the panels to pivot with respect to the ground surface materially re duces the wind resistance of the fence so that it may withstand a wind having a velocity of forty-five miles per hour. The ability of the fence 14 to have its individual panels pivot with respect to the ground surface reduces the danger to the ballplayers when they inadvertently run into the fence. a

When it is desired to move the fence 14 from one outfield position to another outfield position, the panels may be readily disassembled in the reverse manner of that described above and then reassembled as set forth above in the new position. Due to the lightweight nature of the panels and the simple means for supporting the same, the transfer from one position to another may be rapidly accomplished with a minimum amount of labor.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

LA fence comprising a plurality of panels disposed end-to-end, the end faces of adjacent panels being spaced from each other, an extensible brace having its longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the plane of said panels, said brace including a resilient means for biasing said brace to an extended position means on juxtaposed ends of adjacent panels cooperating with one end of said brace to facilitate the support of two adjacent panels in an upright disposition, means on the other end of said brace for releasably interconnecting said brace to a ground embedded support, each panel including a panel section of lightweight material, side frame members embracing side edges of said panel section, and means interconnecting the side frame members with their respective panel sections, supports interconnecting lower edge portions of said panels with a ground embedded support, said supports comprising means enabling said panels to pivot about their respective lower edge portions.

2. A fence in accordance with claim 1 wherein said resilient means includes a spring at the upper end of said brace, said spring being disposed between a portion of said brace and an element extending between juxtaposed end faces of said panels.

3. A fence in accordance with claim 1 including corner members telescopically disposed with respect to said side frame members at each corner of said panel sections.

4. A fence in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supports comprise wire fastener means of resilient material.

5. A fence comprising a plurality of panels, said panels being disposed in end-to-end disposition, the juxtaposed end faces of adjacent panels being spaced from each other, members on adjacent panels overlapping each other in the space between the juxtaposed end faces of the panels, a brace angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said panels, the upper end of said brace cooperating with said members to support said panels and including two telescoping parts, spring means between said telescoping parts maintaining said parts in an extended position, the lower end of said brace being coupled to the ground and means supporting lower edge portions of said panels for pivoting about generally horizontal axes whereby said parts may move toward each other when pressure is applied to said panels thereby facilitating a resilient mounting for the panels.

6. A fence comp-rising a plurality of panels disposed in an upright disposition, said panels being in end-toend disposition with juxtaposed end faces of adjacent panels being spaced from one another, a brace cooperating \m'th said panels to support said panels in an upright disposition, an upper end of said brace being interconnected with said panels, the lower end of said brace having a body portion, said body portion having an extension, a support adapted to be embedded in the ground, said extension being telescopically disposed within said support, and means for releasably interlocking said extension and support, said means for releasably interlocking said extension and support including a radially outwardly directed boss on said extension, said support having a hole therethrough, and means for camming said extension to a position wherein said boss enters said hole, said last mentioned means including a bale, said extension having an elongated slot angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said extension, said bale extending through said extension, and said bale being in abutting contact with diametrically opposite points on the inner 6 surface of said supports, whereby reciprocation of said bale cams said boss into said hole.

7. A fence comprising a plurality of imperforate panels disposed in end-to-end disposition with adjacent panels having their juxtaposed end faces spaced from one another, adjacent panels having ears projecting toward each other in overlapping relationship in the space between juxtaposed end faces of adjacent panels, said ears having aligned openings therein, an extensible brace disposed at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, the upper end of said brace including a portion extending through the aligned holes in said ears said brace including resilient means for biasing said brace to an extended position, a support embedded in the ground, means on the lower end of said brace entering said support and cooperating therewith in a manner so that the lower end of said brace may be removably coupled to said support, additional horizontally disposed ears on lower edge portions of said panels, the last mentioned ears on adjacent panels being in overlapping disposition and having aligned holes, and a support member on juxtaposed end faces of adjacent panels extending through the last mentioned aligned holes and engaging a ground embedded support.

8. A fence comprising a plurality of substantially imperforate panels, overlapping portions on adjacent panels, said overlapping portions having aligned holes, a tongue extending through said holes, a brace disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the panels, said brace including an upper body member, said tongue being connected directly to said upper body member, said upper body member including a portion in telescoping engagement with the remainder of said brace, spring means coupled to the remainder of said brace and said portion in telescoping engagement therewith for biasing said body portion to an extended position with respect to the remainder of said brace, means at the lower end of said brace for removably coupling said lower end to a ground embedded support, and means cooperating with the lower end portion of adjacent panels for removably supporting said panels in an upright position, said last mentioned means comprising means enabling said panels to pivot about their respective lower end portions.

9. A fence in accordance with claim 8, wherein said adjacent panels include further overlapping portions having aligned holes, said means for removably supporting said panels in an upright disposition comprising spring members extending through said last mentioned holes and into engagement with a ground embedded support.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 283,182 8/1883 Williams 256-31 1,951,282 3/1934 Hise et al. 256-32 2,136,415 11/1938 Cornett 256-13.1 2,638,188 5/1953 Corn 256-12.5 X 2,736,041 2/1956 Maloof 256-25 X 2,765,581 9/1956 Adler 287-20 X 2,954,638 9/ 1960 Motter 52-298 X 2,975,536 3/1961 Schindler 256-24 X 3,002,774 9/1961 Chapellier.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner. 

8. A FENCE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERFORATE PANELS, OVERLAPPING PORTIONS ON ADJACENT PANELS, SAID OVERLAPPING PORTIONS HAVING ALIGNED HOLES, A TONGUE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLES, A BRACE DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE OF APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE PANELS, SAID BRACE INCLUDING AN UPPER BODY MEMBER, SAID TONGUE BEING CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO SAID UPPER BODY MEMBER, SAID UPPER BODY MEMBER INCLUDING A PORTION IN TELESCOPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REMAINDER OF SAID BRACE, SPRING MEANS COUPLED TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID BRACE AND SAID PORTION IN TELESCOPING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH FOR BIASING SAID BODY PORTION TO AN EXTENDED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID BRACE, MEANS AT THE LOWER END OF SAID BRACE FOR REMOVABLY COUPLING SAID LOWER END TO A GROUND EMBEDDED SUPPORT, AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH THE LOWER END PORTION OF ADJACENT PANELS FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID PANELS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS COMPRISING MEANS ENABLING SAID PANELS TO PIVOT ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE LOWER END PORTIONS. 